Manufacture of ice



J. DUTTON. I

Ice Machine.

' Patented Aug. 18, 18 46.

AM. PHOTO-LITHO.C0.N.Y.(HSBORNE'S PROCESS) UNITED STATES PATENT ormon.

JOHN DUTTON, OF ASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

MANUFACTURE OF ICE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 4,697, dated August 18, 1846.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN DUTTON, of Aston, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful improvement in the manner of accumulating ice and cooling water and other fluids and substances by means of compressed air and an apparatus to effect the same, which is described as follows, reference being had to the annexed drawings of the same, making part of this-specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the center of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section of a modification of ditto. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a hollow cylinder and weighted iston for compressing the air.

Similar etters in the several figures refer to corresponding parts.

The nature of this invention consists in cooling water and accumulating ice by compressing air to one fifth its bulk, more or less, in any convenient manner and causing it to suddenly expand to its original state and come in contact with a body of water issuing from another vessel, and passing by the air outlet, in such a manner, that the water will be suddenly converted into ice, or a degree near it, on the general principle that air, by suddenly expanding generates cold, its capacity for heat being increased.

The apparatus for producing the effects before stated, consists of a globular or cylindrical vessel A, of cast iron or other material, for containing compressed air, condensed to one-fifth its bulk, or any required bulk, by means of an ordinary air pump B attached conveniently near One side and communicating with the same, by a side pipe C. Another pipe D communicates with the air vessel, at the opposite side, connecting with a cast or other formed elbow E having a cock 0, for passing on, and arresting the air at proper occasions. This elbow E is shown in section at Fig. 1, and has a pipe F, screwed or otherwise secured, to its angle, which pipe surrounds one of smaller diameter G, passing through the branch 1 of the elbow, and communicating with the pipe D. The outer tube F communicates with the upper branch 2 of the elbow, which is connected with the lower part of a tin vessel H of any convenient ize and dimensions, placed and secured a short distance above the air vessel. The branch 2 ofthe elbow, with which the lastmentioned pipe communicates, is also provided with a cook 61 for shutting off and letting on the water through the outer tube from the vessel above.

When the cooks are turned to the positions represented in the drawing, the water passes through the last mentioned tube F, and is met by the air passing (from the air vessel) through the inner tube G, at. its termination, when it suddenly expands, while surrounded by the water from the outer tube, and generates cold, and quickly congeals and cools the water, and forces it out in small particles of ice into a vessel 4) placed conveniently to receive it.

After the cooks have been turned the air ,vessel is replenished with air by the air pump, which, while the apparatus is operating, is constantly worked by the operator.

Another mode of compressing the air without the aid of a force pump, and the power necessary to move it, is by means of columns or heads of water, which, in large cities are supplied through pipes.

When this mode is used the air pipe 70 Fig. 2, extends from the top of the a1r vessel a (corresponding with pipe C, Fig. 1) and the pipe 19 from the head or column communicates with the lower part of the same (corresponding to pipe D, Fig. 1) being'provided with a cock 6 (corresponding with cock 0, Fig. 1).. The air vessel is also provided with a waste cock Z.

When the lower cock I; is turned, the water from the head passes into the lower part of the air vessel (1, and compresses the air therein at a a, to a bulk proportionate with the height of said head; and upon the upper cock 0 being opened forces it through the tube 79 connected to a tube corresponding to tube G in Fig. 1 surrounded by an outer tube corresponding to the outer tube- F, Fig. 1,'communicating with the vessel.

containing the water to be congealed, which in this case, as before, is placed above.

When the air is pressed out of the vessel a the lower cock I), is closed, which shuts ofi the water from the head, and the waste cock Z is opened, which allows the water to discharge from the vessel. The waste cock is then closed and the lower one I) is opened and the upper one 6 closed and the operation can thus be repeated until a suflicient quantity of water is cooled and congealed.

Another mode of accomplishing the object proposed and giving a gradual supply of air is represented in Fig; 3 by means of a descending weighted piston in an upright cylinder.

f is an upright cylinder or pump, having a tube 9 extending to the lower end of a vessel It, containing water to congeal or cool, and communicating with the same; which tube in provided with a cock 2' for shutting and opening the communication between the cylinder f and vessel h. This cylinder contains a piston 70, secured to a rod passing through an opening in the upper end, on the end of which rod is placed a weight m of suitable size and material.

any convenient mechanical device, and is of sufficient capacity in relation to the piston to compress the air to the degree required. After the weight has descended and the air has become condensed in the cylinder the cock 2', is opened and the air rushes through the water in the Vessel and cools andcongeals This weight is ralsed by means of a rack and pinlon, or

manner as to cool or congeal the water, on

the principle that air by suddenly expanding absorbs heat, its capacity for heat being increased, as described.

l J QHN DUTTON.

v Witnesses:

ADAM KINsLER, J GEN LANE. 

